Generosity Fuels Mission

Generosity keeps the fire of our mission burning brightly: People connecting people to the extraordinary life found in Jesus. It’s the fuel that propels us in the direction the Holy Spirit is leading. That might sound like catchy vision language, but when you open the pages of Scripture, you discover this is how the church has always operated. People connecting people. Lives transformed by grace, allowing that grace to flow through them in tangible ways as they meet the needs of their communities and the world around them.

That’s the picture Paul paints as he encourages the church in Corinth to give generously to meet the needs of the church in Jerusalem. Their generosity wasn't simply about giving money; it was about participating in God's mission and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. This Sunday, we'll explore Paul's call to generosity as we prepare for Commitment Sunday on November 22 and an opportunity to give above and beyond our regular tithes and offerings toward the Greenhouse Mission Initiative - a new fund dedicated to resourcing your missional passions and ideas to impact our community with the Gospel in tangible ways.

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you - see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

For Adult Homes and Groups

Read 2 Corinthians 8-9, paying particular attention to how Paul connects God’s grace, generosity, and the mission of the church.

1. What stands out to you about the generosity of the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5?

2. How does Paul’s description of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 8:9 reshape the way you think about generosity?

3. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, how does generosity impact both the people who give and those who receive?

4. How is God calling you to use the resources He has given you to make a tangible Gospel impact in the lives of people around you?

For Families with Kids

1. Read 2 Corinthians 8-9 together as a family. The believers in Macedonia didn’t have much money, but they begged Paul for the chance to help others. What do you think made their hearts so excited to share?

2. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, it says Jesus was incredibly rich in heaven but became poor for us. How does knowing Jesus gave up everything for us change how you see your own toys or money?

3. Generosity isn’t just about dollar bills. What are some ways you can show a “wealth of generosity” using your time, your kind words, or your energy?

4. 2 Corinthians 9:11 says that when we give to others, it makes them thank God. Think of a time someone was generous to you and made you want to pray and thank God. Share and ask God to help bring thankfulness to someone’s heart this week.